12A/13A: There seems to be some sort of a mix-up. While VERSATILE for 'endowed with many skills' might work, it definitely works as an answer for 'flexible relatives being flexible' (anag of relatives, def = versatile).

21A: again, should be { ... chief OF advisors ...}

7D: I think it works, with 'rise' as a noun. Although, not particularly fond of a reverse clue, where the fodder isn't explicitly given.

Great points all, Mohsin! I really like the analogy for explaining why E=pot doesn't work. And great work spotting the fact that the clue for 12a actually works to give the answer for 13a - my guess is that the setter wanted to replace the clue for 13a and ended up replacing the clue for 12a instead, which has left D?A?O?I? without a proper clue!

Sadly, the mix-ups draw attention away from what *are* very good clues: e.g., 4a, 9a, 16a, 25a, and (the seemingly sadistic!) 20d!